Queens Park Rangers Vs Preston North End
Saturday 20th December 2008 3pm Kick-off
After Jon 'the Beast' Parkin stepped off the bench to net North End the winner twice last week, Preston now find themselves in a lofty sixth place in the Championship. Next up for the Lilywhites is a difficult trip to Loftus Road to take on wealthy Queens Park Rangers. Alan Irvine will be trying to keep his player's feet on the ground but can take solace knowing that Rangers are currently on a two match winless streak. The richest club in the Championship lost to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday before drawing with Plymouth on Saturday and have just two wins in their last eight games.
However, Rangers have lost at home just twice so far this season meaning that Saturday's result is by far a foregone conclusion. One man who will know all about the threat the Lilywhites could pose is striker Patrick Agyemang. The Ghanaian international moved to Loftus Road in the January 2008 transfer window after spending no fewer than four years at Deepdale. Agyemang will be hoping that by netting his first goal since September, he can at the same time get one over his former employers.
Previous Meetings
The last time these two sides met was in April and despite having a two-goal lead, Preston were pegged back to 2-2 after two goals in the closing moments denied Preston the win. Former North End favourite Gareth Ainsworth netted the first on 90 minutes before Dexter Blackstock equalised deep into injury time.
Earlier that season the points were also shared when QPR visited Deepdale thanks to a Paul Gallagher missed penalty. A 0-0 draw meant that Preston's last win over Rangers dates back to November 2005 when David Nugent and Callum Davidson netted one each in a 2-0 win.
Head-to-head
The return of the head-to-head section could coincide with the return to the starting eleven for Jon Parkin. With two goals in his last two substitute appearances, Parkin has attributed to Preston's place in the play-off positions and will be no doubt knocking on the door for a place in Alan Irvine's starting line-up.
At the heart of the QPR defence will be former Blackpool defender Kaspers Gorkks who was once a target for North End. Gorkks has proven to be an accomplished centre half at this level but will have to have had his weetabix if he is to thwart the efforts of Jon Parkin. The strength and power of Parkin is going to be a real test for Gorkss and could be a crucial battle in Saturday's game.
Team News
Billy Jones is expected to sit this next one out after picking up a hamstring strain against Doncaster last Tuesday meaning that Eddie Nolan will once again deputise at right-back. Both Andrew Lonergan and Sean St Ledger needed treatment for head wounds sustained in the win over Birmingham on Saturday but neither are doubts.
For the visitors, Patrick Agyemang is widely expected to make his first appearance at Deepdale since his move in January 2008 whilst Gareth Ainsworth, who has proven to be a thorn in Preston's side in recent years, could make the bench.